EP 30: Why Duterte is Attacking Pacquiao

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is set to fight a bigger, younger, and undefeated American welterweight next month in what could be his final bout in case he runs and wins for president in the 2022 elections.

But here at home, the senator has been getting quite a beating as well in the political arena where he’s clearly nowhere near his veteran smarts as a boxing legend.

Worse, the punches are coming from the chairman of his own party— President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte has been repeatedly attacking, insulting the neophyte politician since Pacquiao called attention to persistent corruption under the current administration. 

But the underlying motive is not that difficult to see — both Pacquiao and Duterte’s daughter are eyeing the presidency. 

Duterte himself is said to be open to run for vice president.

Thus, we now see huge cracks within the ruling PDP-Laban party — which isn’t suprising, by the way. 

In Philippine Politics, ruling coalitions are formed and disbanded depending on the incumbent and who’s seen as the most formidable politician likely to replace him. 

For now, it's anybody but Pacquiao. 

In this episode, Christian Esguerra talks to Political Analyst Ramon Casiple, Lutgardo Barbo, PDP-Laban Vice President For  Visayas, and Martin Diño, PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary-General For Luzon.